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How can I get a copy of my 1968 marriage certificate from Naha, Okinawa for Social Security?
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Customer:
I was married in Naha, Okinawa, on December 6, 1968, and I need to obtain a copy of my Marriage Certificate for Social Security purposes. At that time, I was a US Marine Corporal stationed in Okinawa. Can you provide guidance on how to obtain this certificate?
Answered by Expert Mark in 25 mins 11 years ago
Specialities include: Criminal Law, Estate Law, Family Law, General, Immigration Law, Legal, Personal Injury Law, TSA
Hello, I will be assisting you today.
What steps have you taken so far to recover the marriage certificate?
Customer
I tried to reach out to the Consulate in Naha through email, but I did not get any response from them.
OK, thank you. Unfortunately, the US consulate does not and has never maintained records of marriage in Japan. They would have directed you to where I am going to direct you - the ward offices in the area.
The official record of your marriage is the one issued by the ward or city office in Japan at the time of your marriage. Therefore, copies of this can only be found at that office. You will need to contact them directly.
There is some information suggesting that the ward or city office may not keep records after 27 years. So when you contact the office, be prepared for that possibility. If that is the case, her family registry (koseki) should have a record of the marriage. The record should also be kept at the ward or city office where she lived.
I do not know the details of which part of Naha or Okinawa you were married or where she was domiciled, but here is a list of ward and city offices: http://www.mission.net/japan/fukuoka/archives/directory/wardbranch.html. Your wife should look through those geographic locations to determine which office to contact. They should be able to guide her in procuring a copy of the marriage record.
Here is one more link to the Naha City Office, but it is in Japanese. Perhaps she can translate it to find the appropriate information: http://www.city.naha.okinawa.jp/.
I hope I have answered your questions. Please note that I do not receive a salary here. I only get credit for helping you when you give my customer service (not the outcome, which I do not control) a positive rating. So please remember to give me a positive rating with 3 or more stars, or any of the smiling faces. This is the ONLY way I get credit for helping you. You can continue to ask questions even after you have given a rating.
NOTE: You are rating my customer service, not the outcome. Believe me, I always want to provide you with good news. However, I do not work for the US government, so I cannot control what happens. If the outcome is not what you wanted, please blame the government and the
The official record of your marriage is the one issued by the ward or city office in Japan at the time of your marriage. Therefore, copies of this can only be found at that office. You will need to contact them directly.
There is some information suggesting that the ward or city office may not keep records after 27 years. So when you contact the office, be prepared for that possibility. If that is the case, her family registry (koseki) should have a record of the marriage. The record should also be kept at the ward or city office where she lived.
I do not know the details of which part of Naha or Okinawa you were married or where she was domiciled, but here is a list of ward and city offices: http://www.mission.net/japan/fukuoka/archives/directory/wardbranch.html. Your wife should look through those geographic locations to determine which office to contact. They should be able to guide her in procuring a copy of the marriage record.
Here is one more link to the Naha City Office, but it is in Japanese. Perhaps she can translate it to find the appropriate information: http://www.city.naha.okinawa.jp/.
I hope I have answered your questions. Please note that I do not receive a salary here. I only get credit for helping you when you give my customer service (not the outcome, which I do not control) a positive rating. So please remember to give me a positive rating with 3 or more stars, or any of the smiling faces. This is the ONLY way I get credit for helping you. You can continue to ask questions even after you have given a rating.
NOTE: You are rating my customer service, not the outcome. Believe me, I always want to provide you with good news. However, I do not work for the US government, so I cannot control what happens. If the outcome is not what you wanted, please blame the government and the
Customer
Can you email me your response to my question? I would like to have a hard copy to send with my wife when she visits her family next week.
Thank you for your assistance!
You're welcome. Please remember to provide a positive rating for my service before you log off today.
Unfortunately, unless you opt for Additional Services, which incur an extra fee, I cannot email you directly. However, if you have a printer connected to your computer, you can print this page directly from your browser.
At the top of your screen, there should be a tab labeled "File" or something similar. From there, you should be able to print this page. If you encounter any issues, please let me know by specifying the type of system you are using and your internet browser. Is it Firefox? Is it Safari? Is it Microsoft Internet Explorer?
As a final reminder, I do not receive credit for assisting you unless you give me a positive rating for my customer service. So please don't forget to do that.
Thank you very much!
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Disclaimer: The customer and expert messages presented herein may have been altered or modified to enhance readability and safeguard the privacy of individuals. These modifications do not change the intent or substance of the original messages.
How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate from Okinawa for US Citizens
Difficulty locating foreign records and unresponsive consular offices cause delays.
For marriages in Okinawa before 1972, marriage certificates are held by Japanese municipal offices. US citizens should contact the local city hall (kuyakusho) where the marriage was registered. If direct contact is difficult, the US Embassy in Tokyo or the Consulate General in Osaka may assist with guidance. Providing full names, marriage date, and location helps locate records. Certified translations may be required for Social Security purposes. Persistence and official requests through proper channels are essential.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a verified expert on JustAnswer before making decisions.
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